Increasing water‐use efficiency directly through genetic manipulation of stomatal density

摘要: Summary Improvement in crop water-use efficiency (WUE) is a critical priority for regions facing increased drought or diminished groundwater resources. Despite new tools the manipulation of stomatal development, engineering plants with high WUE remains challenge. We used Arabidopsis epidermal patterning factor (EPF) mutants exhibiting altered density to test whether could be improved directly by genes controlling density. Specifically, we tested constitutive overexpression EPF2 reduced and maximum conductance (gw(max)) sufficiently increase WUE. We found that reduction gw(max) via EPF2-overexpressing (EPF2OE) both instantaneous long-term without altering significantly photosynthetic capacity. Conversely, lacking EPF1 expression (epf1epf2) exhibited higher density, lower WUE, as well (but not so) WUE. Targeted genetic modification conductance, such EPF2OE, viable approach crops, particularly future high-carbon-dioxide (CO2) atmospheres.